Painting with a Comet's Tail


Book Description

Civilized man has been prone to conjure up a maxim or saying to reflect the prevailing philosophy of the day. Two of those familiar favorites readily apply to the world famous Blue Ridge Parkway, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." Harley E. Jolley explores the parkway through the history if its landscape architecture.




Comets


Book Description

Radiating fire and ice, comets as a phenomenon seem part science, part myth. Two thousand years ago when a comet shot across the night sky, it convinced the Romans that Julius Caesar was a god. In 1066, Halley’s Comet was interpreted as a foreshadowing of the death of Harold the Second in the Battle of Hastings. Even today the arrival of a comet often feels auspicious, confirming our hopes, fears, and sense of wonder in the universe. In Comets, P. Andrew Karam takes the reader on a far-ranging exploration of these most beautiful and dramatic objects in the skies, revealing how comets and humanity have been interwoven throughout history. He delves into the science of comets and how it has changed over time; the way comets have been depicted in art, religion, literature, and popular culture; and how comets have appeared in the heavens through the centuries. Comprehensive in scope and beautifully illustrated throughout, the book will appeal not only to the budding astronomer, but to anyone with an appreciation for these compelling and remarkable celestial bodies.




Comet


Book Description

What are these graceful visitors to our skies? We now know that they bring both life and death and teach us about our origins. Comet begins with a breathtaking journey through space astride a comet. Pulitzer Prize-winning astronomer Carl Sagan, author of Cosmos and Contact, and writer Ann Druyan explore the origin, nature, and future of comets, and the exotic myths and portents attached to them. The authors show how comets have spurred some of the great discoveries in the history of science and raise intriguing questions about these brilliant visitors from the interstellar dark. Were the fates of the dinosaurs and the origins of humans tied to the wanderings of a comet? Are comets the building blocks from which worlds are formed? Lavishly illustrated with photographs and specially commissioned full-color paintings, Comet is an enthralling adventure, indispensable for anyone who has ever gazed up at the heavens and wondered why. Praise for Comet "Simply the best." —The Times of London "Fascinating, evocative, inspiring." —The Washington Post "Comet humanizes science. A beautiful, interesting book." —United Press International "Masterful . . . science, poetry, and imagination." —The Atlanta Journal & Constitution










Hunting and Imaging Comets


Book Description

For many astronomers, the holy grail of observation is to discover a comet, not least because comets always bear the name of their discoverer! Hunting and Imaging Comets was written for comet hunters and digital imagers who want to discover, rediscover, monitor, and make pictures of comets using astronomical CCD cameras and DSLRs. The old days of the purely visual comet hunter are pretty much over, but this is not to say that amateurs have lost interest in finding comets. The books also covers the discovery of comet fragments in the SOHO image data, CCD monitoring of older comets prone to violent outbursts, the imaging of new NEOs (Near Earth Objects) that have quite often been revealed as comets - not asteroids - by amateur astronomers, and the finding of recent comets impacting Jupiter.




Star in the East


Book Description

Hans Holzer rediscovers Christmas, from its pre-Christian beginnings to its celebration in many lands yesterday and today; from the Star in the East to the origins of holly, hymns, trees, and Santa Claus (yes, Virginia, he lived!). Through ancient astrological and astronomical charts he shows how the Three Wise Men were led from opposite ends of the earth to Bethlehem, and why the undertook the long and dangerous journey—separately—to the birthplace of Christ. Using his skills as an archaeologist, historian, and numismatist, Professor Holzer reveals the true identities of the three Kings called Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, focusing new light on the spiritual significance of Christmas.




The Sky Painter


Book Description

Lila was a very talented artist who lived in a small town with lots of trees and plants. One thing that made Lila unique was that she had a magical ability that let her paint in the sky. This amazed and pleased her group. Fans called Lila the "Sky Painter," and her artistic talent was deeply connected to the lives and feelings of the people in the village, going beyond just drawing beautiful scenes in the sky. Lila's job as the Sky Painter began when she was a child and drew a circle in the sky in the hopes of seeing the sun. The locals and she were both shocked when she used her art to split the clouds and show a bright sun. These amazing events marked the start of a special bond between Lila and the sky. She got better at painting by learning how to paint beautiful sunsets that made the whole neighborhood feel warm, rainbows that gave people hope after a storm, and starry nights that showed how big and beautiful the universe is. Painting the sky with her skill wasn't just a hobby for her; it brought happiness and hope to the people. Lila's drawings showed how deeply she felt connected to the people and places in the area. She made scary, whirling clouds that brought much-needed rain to the village during a drought. When she made snowflakes, the neighborhood turned into a wonderful winter paradise, which made the kids very happy. Her pictures of the Northern Lights and the bright tail of a comet were not only amazing to look at, but they also made everyone in the villages feel amazed and happy. They brought them together for events that were out of the ordinary. Lila's art was an ode to both the beauty of nature and the creative power of people. Many people have been moved by her story to believe in the magic of the sky and find happiness in everyday life. As she painted, her fame grew, and she became a hero in the area. Lila's paintings of the sky turned ordinary days into breathtaking events that gave the villages a lot of happiness and hope. As the Sky Painter, she was reminded of the huge effect that art can have on a community. Art can also bring out the beauty of nature and show how people are all linked. First, let me say this: An important artist used to live in a beautiful town surrounded by wooded areas and rolling hills. Lila was her name, and she had a very special skill. On the other hand, Lila painted on the huge sky above instead of boards like most artists do. With just a wave of her hands and her vivid mind, she could turn the sky into a beautiful show of colors and shapes. Lila was an interesting and amazing person in her town because she had a special skill that made her stand out from everyone else. The locals were amazed by Lila's paintings of the sky, even though they were used to the natural beauty of their area. Little ones were amazed at how Lila's fine brushstrokes turned a dull sky into a beautiful explosion of sunset colors. A beautifully drawn breeze or a surprise rainbow would often make farmers' days better when they worked outside on their crops. For everyone who saw Lila's works, it was more than just a pretty show; it changed their lives. She was not only good at painting the sky, but she could also change the weather. Lila knew what she had to do and didn't take it lightly. She knew that her works could have an effect on the common people. Lila painted pretty clouds to cool off on hot days when the sun was beating down on the ground. When the crops needed rain, she would call up scary, towering clouds, and the dry ground would soon get it. The village benefited from the way she used her skill, which was cool and methodical. What really set them apart, though, was the happiness Lila's paintings of the sky brought to the other people in the town. Even though she was amazing at changing the weather, what she really loved was making kids and people happy. With each stroke of the paintbrush, she made a memorial to her love for her town and the people who lived there. Lila's art projects also helped her remember that magic can be found everywhere, even in the strangest places. By her bright colors and artistic patterns in the sky, she asked people to think about things other than their daily lives and picture a world full of possibilities and amazement. Folks of all ages were told to have big dreams and have faith in their artistic and imaginative skills. Lila's drawings changed as the seasons did. In the spring, she made colorful clouds to go with the flowers that were in bloom. In July, her sunsets were a bright mix of oranges and pinks. She painted tiny snowflakes that shone in the moonlight in the winter, and she painted the skies amber and gold in the fall to show how the leaves were changing. Lila's story is about more than just a great artist. This story looks into how art affects society, how it can make people happy, and how it can spark creativity. Her magical ability to paint in the sky was not only a show of her skill, but also a gift to her community, making their surroundings more beautiful and magical. Even though people usually look for magic in big, flashy events, Lila's story reminds us that magic can be found in small, everyday things like changing the sky above us. The locals still thought about and felt the effects of her work, which shows how beautiful art can be and how powerful the mind can be. Chapter 1: What They Found. "The Discovery" is a turning point in Lila's life that happened on a normal day in her peaceful town. As a child, Lila made an amazing find that would change her life and the lives of everyone around her forever. All because she was curious and full of life. It was one of those foggy days where the sun was hard to see because it was hidden in all the clouds. Lila made a silly motion toward the sky, but it was based on expectation rather than hope. She foolishly tried to make a circle in the air with her little finger to look like the sun she really wanted to see. After that, something truly amazing happened. The clouds split right where Lila had drawn them, as if they were being told to by a force that couldn't be seen. Even though it was cloudy outside, a shaft of sunshine broke through the clouds and gave off a warm, bright glow. Not only were the clouds splitting, but Lila's hidden power was also discovered. It was a magical skill that was both amazing and had never been seen before. Lila made up her mind that day to learn this strange art form. She wasn't just painting; she was learning how to connect with the sky, to feel its colors and moods, and to use her mind to change it. It was amazing to watch her practice. The people in the village often looked up at Lila's fingers as they moved through the air, leaving behind rainbow-colored and bright lines. She got really good at making fluffy clouds that looked like cotton candy floating in the sky because they were so real. These weren't just any clouds; they were unique, beautiful works of Lila's imagination and happiness. As she got older, she just got better at it. In Lila's town, her sunsets were known as the best. People were amazed by the color medley she made by painting the sky orange, pink, and purple. Every sunset was a work of art that showed both Lila's deep artistic vision and the beauty of nature. The locals would often stop what they were doing in the evening to watch the show. It would remind them of the beauty in everyday life and make them want to leave their homes.